DAY 1-3 - The Grand Epiphany The second coming: What are we looking for? There are three things that will happen on the second coming: a. Grand epiphany: The glorious appearance of Jesus Christ b. Grand calamities c. Grand song Today, we are going to see the GRAND EPIPHANY. An epiphany is an appearance. On the second coming, the Lord God will make a grand epiphany, a glorious appearance. How will this be? In Exodus 19, we have seen a glimpse of what this Grand Epiphany will be like. "Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder." In Acts 1:9, we can see another glimpse of what this Grand Epiphany will be like. "He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight." This is what is recorded in Revelation 19 regarding the Grand Epiphany that will happen when Jesus came to earth for the second time. "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True (i.e., Jesus Christ). With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords." Presently, we only see a glimpse of his appearance, later we will see him in complete fullness. This is like watching a movie in a PC monitor versus watching a movie in an IMAX theatre. Jesus Christ will come in His glory.
DAY 4 - The Grand Calamities The second coming: What are we looking for? There are three things that will happen on the second coming: a. Grand epiphany: The glorious appearance of Jesus Christ. We've seen this yesterday. b. Grand calamities. We are going to study this today. c. Grand song The grand calamities or catastrophes are described in the Bible as the "Day of the Lord." This is the judgment day of the Lord. This day is described by Zephaniah in chapter 1:14-16, "The great day of the Lord is near, near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the Lord will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers." The Day of the Lord is so dark and bitter, so much more than any other calamities that have ever happen on earth. Even the tragedy of the "flood" can not compete with this tragedy. The tragedy of the earthquakes in Taiwan, Turkey, Japan is nothing compared to the calamities that will come. Why is the Day of the Lord is so much bitter? It is because GOD HIMSELF brings those calamities to earth. Up to this point, most of the judgments are brought by God through creation, such as the flood, water and disease But, on the Day of the Lord, God brought judgment using His OWN HAND instead of through His creation. There are some judgements that are brought down by God's own hand in the Bible, such as the 10th plague on Pharaoh and the Eqyptians. Ex 12:29, "At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt." Yes, the Lord himself and NOT an angel of death, kills the firstborn in Egypt. Now, this same hand that brings judgement to the Eqyptians will bring judgement to mankind. In Rev 19, it is written, that Jesus Christ will come as a "warrior", ready to go to battle. What battle this will be? This is what Armageddon means. It is a war between Jesus and the kings of the earth. The people on earth under the leadership of anti-Christ gather together to fight a war with Jesus. Jesus came riding a white horse. With justice he judges and makes war. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. (Rev 19:11-21) Yes, on the second coming, Jesus Christ will come as a warrior, ready to lead the final and ultimate battle.